Podcast Summary: "Meddler or Murderer?"

20/20 (ABC News) | January 3, 2026

Overview

This episode of 20/20 dives into the decade-spanning true crime saga of the Dan Markel murder case, focusing on the recent trial and conviction of Donna Adelson—the 73-year-old South Florida grandmother accused of orchestrating her former son-in-law's assassination. Through courtroom drama, family betrayals, covert investigations, and emotional testimony, the episode explores whether Donna was a "meddler" or the criminal mastermind behind a family's destruction.

Major Themes & Purpose

• True Crime Investigation: The podcast meticulously retraces the entire case, from Dan Markel’s murder through the Adelson family’s unraveling, culminating in Donna Adelson's trial and conviction.
• Family and Motive: Explores deep family wounds, power dynamics, and the lengths Donna Adelson allegedly went to in attempts to keep her grandchildren close by.
• Justice and Remorse: Delves into the impacts of the Markel murder on both sides, highlighting loss, trauma, and the pursuit of justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime: Dan Markel's Murder

• Background: Dan Markel, a prominent law professor, is shot in front of his Tallahassee home in 2014.
  • "Danny was a great father. With all his accomplishments, to me, I'm the proudest of him as a father. His boys were the entire world to him." (11:50)
• Initial Investigation: Police quickly focus on a custody dispute between Dan and his ex-wife, Wendy Adelson, exacerbated by Donna Adelson's domineering influence.
• The Adelson Family Dynamic:
  • Donna Adelson is painted as a controlling matriarch, eager to have her daughter and grandsons return to South Florida.
  • Emails reveal her animosity toward Dan and willingness to go to extremes ("We plan to make a financial offer to him to allow this relocation.").

2. Building the Case: Evidence and Arrests

• Linking the Hitmen to the Adelson Family:
  • Two men, Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, are identified as the hitmen through a green Toyota Prius rental, cellphone records, and tolls. (39:05)
  • The "go-between," Katie McBanawa (Garcia’s ex and Charlie Adelson’s then-girlfriend), receives checks from the Adelson dental practice signed by Donna.
• The Undercover Sting: Donna is approached by an undercover FBI agent posing as a blackmailer, further implicating her in the plot.
  • "You know who Katie is and... took care of a problem for you. You make this 5k come to me." (47:23)
• Legal Dominoes:
  • Garcia and McBanawa are convicted.
  • Katie later flips, directly implicating Charlie Adelson and, through financial links, Donna.

3. The Trials: From Charlie to Donna

Charlie Adelson’s Trial

• Key Testimonies:
  • Katie McBanawa changes her story under oath, now confessing her involvement and pinning Charlie as the plot’s orchestrator (1:23:32).
  • Charlie testifies, claiming he and his mother were actually being extorted after the murder, not before ("I'm not going to be part of paying for a murder. This is insane." 1:30:15).
• Jury’s Reaction: Three hours of deliberations, and Charlie is found guilty on all counts (first-degree murder, conspiracy, solicitation).

Donna Adelson’s Arrest and Trial

• Attempted Flight: Donna and her husband try to leave for Vietnam (a non-extradition country), arrested at the airport.
• Jailhouse Evidence:
  • Jailhouse snitches claim Donna offered inducements for positive testimony, admitted the motive was “to keep her grandkids,” but said, “it wasn't supposed to go that far.” (2:15:00)
  • Donna allegedly coached an inmate to bolster her defense narrative.
• Emotional Toll and Conditions: Donna describes jail as “66 women, all in bunk beds, all open. There’s no separation at all… I’ve gained more than a third of my body weight.” (2:04:15)

4. Family Betrayals and Notable Witnesses

• Estranged Son Testifies: Rob Adelson, Donna’s oldest son, describes her as "controlling," admits she "hated" Dan Markel, and recounts Donna urging him not to talk to police post-murder.
  • “She had called me and said, you know, if the police come around, you know, don't talk to them.” (2:10:00)
• Key Question of Motive: Prosecutors emphasize Donna's relentless focus on regaining contact with her grandsons at any cost.
  • "The evidence has shown Dan Markel was a major problem for Wendy, and that meant he was a major problem for Donna, who in turn made Dan Markel a major problem for this defendant." – Prosecutor Georgia Kaplan (2:32:45)

5. The Verdict and Aftermath

• Jury Deliberation: After three hours, jurors find Donna Adelson guilty on all charges (first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation).
• Donna’s Reaction: Audible gasps and visible distress in the courtroom.
• Victim Impact:
  • Dan Markel’s parents address the court: “There is no escape from the wicked effects of what Donna Adelson set in motion… For many years enjoyed the aftermath of Donna's selfishness, cruelty and complete disrespect for human life.”
• Sentencing: Donna receives life in prison without parole for murder, plus 30 years for related charges.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Donna’s Character and Motive:
  • "Donna refers to Dan Markel as gibbers, which is clearly a derogatory term. It's time to take control of your life and not let jibbers think he's won anything by having you remain in Tallahassee." (07:30)
  • “She was the matriarch and a domineering one at that.” (04:45)
• Family Fractures:
  • "You have a son testifying against his own mother. She's just being a parent, not a killer. She's a meddler, not a murderer." (2:13:00)
• Courtroom Drama:
  • "The defendant is guilty of first degree murder." (2:41:30)
  • “Mrs. Adelson, control yourself.” – Judge admonishing Donna after outburst at verdict. (2:41:40)
  • "If I had become aware of this plan before Danny was murdered, I would have stopped it." — Donna Adelson, at sentencing, still professing innocence. (2:46:15)
• On Justice and Tragedy:
  • “The family's just been totally destroyed. I hate that. Sometimes it feels a little bit like being a part of it, you know? So I wish them nothing but the best.” – Prosecutor Georgia Kappelman, on the fallout for Markel’s children (2:44:00)
  • “This defendant decided they didn't need their dad. She doesn't get to decide that. It's only one truth. Find her guilty.” – Prosecutor Georgia Kappelman, closing argument (2:36:20)
• Jailhouse Manipulation:
  • “She did it to keep her grandkids. But it wasn’t supposed to go that far.” – Jailhouse informant, citing Donna’s alleged admission (2:15:00)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Intro & Crime Setup: 00:40 – 12:00
• The Adelson Family Backstory: 03:30 – 12:30
• Divorce and Custody Battle: 14:20 – 23:00
• Dan Markel’s Murder: 24:00 – 32:00
• Hitmen Investigation & Arrests: 39:00 – 50:00
• Undercover Operation: 47:00 – 52:00
• Prosecution Building Case: 53:00 – 1:15:00
• Charlie Adelson Trial: 1:17:00 – 1:43:00
• Donna Adelson: Flight, Arrest & Jail: 1:44:00 – 2:03:00
• Donna’s Trial – Prosecution’s Case: 2:04:00 – 2:25:00
• Rob Adelson Testifies: 2:10:00
• Jailhouse Witnesses & Scripts: 2:15:00
• Defense Presentation: 2:28:00 – 2:34:00
• Donna’s Decision Not to Testify: 2:34:00
• Closing Arguments: 2:36:00 – 2:38:50
• Verdict & Sentencing: 2:41:00 – 2:48:20
• Victim Impact Statements & Reflections: 2:49:00 – End

Conclusion

The episode powerfully details the rise and fall of an affluent family torn apart by obsession, manipulation, and ultimately, murder. Through tapes, testimony, and jaw-dropping trial moments, listeners are left to ponder the true cost of Donna Adelson’s actions—on Dan Markel’s legacy, two motherless boys, and every life touched by this notorious crime. As both Donna and Charlie Adelson prepare appeals, the case stands as one of the most riveting—and heartbreaking—in recent memory.

For listeners seeking an in-depth journey into a real-life murder, courtroom drama, and the dark side of family loyalty, this 20/20 episode delivers a haunting, comprehensive chronicle.